Continuous envelope

ABSTRACT

A continuous envelope system in which a plurality of joined envelopes are made from a single web of sheet material, each of the envelopes has hinged joints at the three closed sides thereof so that full opening of the envelope is attained upon spreading of the front and back panels.

U United States Patent 13,580,488

[72] Inventor Stanley Komen [56] References Cited 348 Swanson Road,Sycamore, [I]. 60178 UNITED STATES PATENTS ggjfg 2,610,784 9/1952 Henry229/69 Patented y 25,197! 2,824,685 2/1958 Patton 229/69 PrimaryExaminer-David M. Bockenek Attorney-Francis T. Drumm [54] CONTINUOUSENVELOPE 6 Clams 15 Drawmg Figs ABSTRACT: A continuous envelope systemin which a plu- [52] U.S. Cl 229/69 rality of joined envelopes are madefrom a single web of sheet Cl 5d 27/ material, each of the envelopes hashinged joints at the three [50] Field of Search 229/69; closed sidesthereof so that full opening of the envelope is at- 93/63 tained uponspreading of the front and back panels.

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sum 10 or 10 505 sxo \NVENTQK /50b STANLEY KOMEN CONTINUOUS ENVELOPESUMMARY A continuous envelope system of the type utilized for continuousprocessing in punched card accounting machines, addressing machines andtypewriters with or without pin feed platens. The present envelopesystem and method is an improvement over prior art continuous envelopesin which the envelopes are formed of two separate webs of paper joinedat the abutting marginal edges. Each web, in the prior art devices isseparately diecut, punched, perforated, printed and treated withadhesive where required and superimposed over each other and joined bymeans of the adhesive. The resulting envelopes do not readily open tofull width and depth because of the inherent stiffness of the front andback panels and the fact that the marginal edges of the several panelsare finnly bound each to the other. As a result, the prior artcontinuous envelopes tend to buckle upon spreading of the front and backpanels.

A principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide acontinuous envelope system in which a plurality of joined envelopes aremade from a single web of sheet material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continuous envelopesystem wherein each envelope has hinged joints at the three closed sidesthereof so that full opening of the envelopes is attained upon spreadingof the front and back panels.

A further object of the invention is to devise a method by means ofwhich continuous envelopes of the above type may be made rapidly andefficiently.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the descriptionproceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a continuous web illustratingpresent continuous form envelope system before folding over of the frontand back panels;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the continuous formenvelope of FIG. 1 after folding;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an envelope made in accordance with the methodof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a continuous web utilized forforming a continuous form envelope made in accordance with a modifiedform of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a continuous form envelope of FIG. 4 afterfolding;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an envelope made in accordance with the methodillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank for a continuous form envelope made inaccordance with a further modified form of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an envelope of FIG. 7 after folding has beeneffected;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an envelope made in accordance with the methodillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank utilized to make a continuous formenvelope made in accordance with a further modified form of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 10 in folded condition;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an individual envelope made in accordance withthe method set forth in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an envelope blank embodying a side flap forprinted or written indicia;

FIG. 14 illustrates an envelope made from the blank of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is plan view of an individual envelope made in accordance withthe method illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to F IG. 1, thecontinuous form envelope system of the invention comprises an elongateweb of sheet material 1 that may be paper, film, or foil, delineated bylongitudinally spaced perforation lines 2 into a series of successiveblanks. The spacing between the several perforation lines 2 determinesthe width of the envelope and may be varied as required. A longitudinalfold line 3 runs the entire length of the web and establishes a lineupon which the several sections 22 and 26 of the blank are folded to theposition illustrated in FIG. 2. According to the invention, the frontportion of the finished envelope is formed from section 22 while theback portion of the finished envelope is formed from section 26. A pairof laterally spaced longitudinally extending perforation lines 4, oneach side of the fold line 3, delineate marginal strips 13 and 14 andform the outer limits of the front and back portions. Central strips and14a are delineated by perforation lines 4a in limited spaced parallelrelation to fold line 3. The strips 13, 13a, 14 and 14a are formed withpunched apertures 5 in which are received pinhole advance mechanisms ofa type well known in the prior art.

The front portion is defined by die-cut openings 6, by the perforationlines 4, by the adjacent transverse perforation line 2, and by a scoreline 11 which also defines in part a flap 12, while diecut openings 7define in part the back panel of the finished envelope. The front andback portions are also provided along three edges thereof, with zones 8of nontacky adhesive which may be applied by conventional processes,-and is inoperative at normal room temperature and atmospheric pressure.This adhesive is preferably selected from a class of adhesives which arefusible under heat and pressure but not otherwise. This may be efiectedafter the web has been folded by fold line 3 so that the blanks assumethe position illustrated in F IG. 2.

According to an important feature of the present invention means areprovided for assuring full and effective opening of the envelopes foruse. To this end, the blank sections are provided with score lines 9 inspaced relation to the bottom and side edges of the finished envelopeand coincide with the inner limits of the adhesive zones.

The finished envelope includes a flap l2 defined in part by one of theperforation lines. 2, the edges 6a defining the recesses 6, and a scoreline 11. The flap 12 has a conventional adhesive zone 10 of the watermoistened type. After the continuous web of envelopes is processed in abusiness machine, the strips 13, 13a, 14 and 14a are removed by anysuitable separation device to yield the envelope of FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is illustrated a modified form of the invention. Inthis form of the invention, as shown best in FIG. 4, scored and creasedtabs 211 are provided and a score line 209, in spaced relation to thebottom of the finished envelope, is provided to assure full opening ofthe envelope. The right blank of FIG. 4 is illustrated with the tabs 211in the position of formation while the left blank of this figure showsthe tabs 211 after they have been folded about score lines 2110. Eachblank is divided into sections by the line 203, the upper sectionforming the back portion of the envelope and the lower section definingthe front portion. Also provided is a flap 214 similar in constructionto the flap of the principal form of the invention. In this form of theinvention the blanks are delineated by longitudinally spaced perforationlines 202 and folding of the web is facilitated by a fold line 203 sothat the blanks assume the position illustrated in FIG. 5. Also providedare a marginal strip 215 delineated by longitudinally extendingperforation line 204 and an irregularly shaped strip 216. The strips 215and 216 are provided with punched openings 205 for a reception of thepins of conventional pin feed devices. The upper section of each blankis formed with a die-cut opening 207, defined by an edge 207a, toprovide access to the completed envelope. One end of the flap 214 isdefined by a perforation line 206 which defines in part marginal strip216 and facilitates separation of marginal strip 216 from the continuousweb after the envelope is completely processed in a business machine.The opposite side of flap 214 is defined by a die-cut edge 218, andfolding of the flap 214 is facilitated by a score line 213.

The tabs 211 are formed with die-cut edges 217 and 218. These tabs arefolded over prior to folding of the entire web about the fold line 203.An adhesive zone 212 is applied to the lower side of the web in a mannerthat the tabs 211 are covered with adhesive except a narrow portion sothat after the web is folded about the fold line 203, the tabs will bedisposed inside the finished envelope, as illustrated in the left blankof FIG. 4. After folding of the web 201, the ends of the backside of theenvelope will coincide with the edge of the adhesive zone 212 and thusform a sealed edge in limited spaced relation to the edge of theenvelope. When the web 201 is folded, adhesive zones 208 and 212 meetand the folded web is then passed continuously through a series ofheated rollers under pressure so that a series of joined envelopes isformed. The flap 214 is provided with an adhesive zone 210 of theconventional water moistened type.

Referring now toFIGS. 7, 8 and 9, there is disclosed therein a furthermodified form of the invention. in this form of the invention thecontinuous web is indicated by reference numeral 301 and is divided intoequal increments or blanks by transversely extending longitudinallyspaced perforation lines 302. Folding of the entire web longitudinallyis facilitated by a longitudinal perforation line 303, which divides theblanks into sections. Marginal strips 311 are defined by longitudinallyextending perforation lines 304 and have a plurality of punched holes305 for reception of pins of conventional pin feed devices. Full openingof the resulting envelope is assured by the provision of score lines 306in limited spaced relation to the sides and bottom edges of the finishedenvelope. By this arrangement flexible hinge joints are formed whichpermit bending of the envelope front and back panels without buckling. Ascore line 307 determines the axis of bending for the flap 300 of eachenvelope. The flap 309 is further defined by die-cut openings 308defined in part by edges 308a which intersect perforation line 304.Adhesive zones 312 are accurately applied to both halves of the web 301so that the edges thereof do not interfere with the bending action ofthe envelope sides provided by score lines 306. Flap 309 is providedwith an adhesive zone 310 of the water moistened type.

The opening for the flap is defined by a die-cut edge 313 joiningaccurately die-cut edges 308a. The bottom edge of the blanks, as viewedin FIG. 7, are provided with die-cut recesses 315 to facilitate openingof the finished envelope. When the web 301 is folded about itslongitudinal axis, the adhesive zones are brought into registration andthen the entire folded web is passed between heated pressure rollers toeffect fusing of the thermoplastic adhesive. In this fonn of theinvention a stub 314 is provided for recording feasible indicia. Thisstub is selectively removable by means of the adjacent perforation line304. In FIG. 9 is shown the manner in which individual side flapenvelopes are removed from the continuous web.

In FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 is illustrated another modified form of theinvention in which the use of marginal strips and pin feed holes isobviated. In this instance, the web 401 is provided with a deep scoreline 402 produced by repeated scorings. The web 401 is divided intoblanks by longitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines410. The fold line 402 divides each blank into separate sections, thefront portion of the finished envelope being formed from the uppersection, and the back portion of the envelope being formed from thelower section. A continued series of die-cut openings 403 defined inpart by edges 403a form the ends of a flap 411. Access openings for thebackside of the envelope are formed by openings 404. A continuous stripof rapid drying adhesive 407 of the nontacky type is applied to themarginal edges of the blank between the bottom and side edges thereofand a score line 408. Flap 411 is defined in part by a score line 409and is provided with a contoured adhesive zone 412 of the watermoistened type. A stub 406 is provided to hold the adjacent portion ofweb 401 together after openings 404 are diecut. It will be appreciatedthat stub 406 is a part of web 401 and remains joined to each blank bymeans of perforation line 413. Stub 406 may be removed after theenvelope is formed by tearing along line 413. The stub 406 is intendedto receive printed or written indicia and may be removed, if desired.After the web 401 is folded over and sealing is effected in the mannerabove described, the web then comprises a series of joined envelopes asillustrated in FIG. 11. These joined envelope are then separated asshown in FIG. 12. The perforation line 410 may be utilized to fold theweb of envelopes into a continuous pack or, in the alternative, theselines may be used to separate the continuous web into individualenvelopes. Stub 406 may be narrower when used for production ofindividual envelopes since its only function, in this regard, is to holdtheblank during production after openings 404 are diecut.

Referring now to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 there is illustrated therein afurther modified form of the invention. The envelope of this modifiedform of the invention is similar to that shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Acontinuous web 501 has a score line 502 for longitudinal folding and hasa plurality of longitudinally spaced transversed extending perforationlines 505 defining a series of connected blanks. Each blank is dividedinto sections by fold line 502. Each blank includes a flap 511 definedby edges 503a of die-cut recesses 503 and 504. Recess 504 defined byedge 504a extends into the back panel to facilitate opening of thefinished envelope. A score line 509 provides a bend line for folding theflap 511. A score line 508 is disposed in limited spaced relation to theright edge of the blank, as viewed in FIG. 13, and defines, incooperation with the right edge, an adhesive zone 507. The flap 511 hasa contoured adhesive zone 515. The adhesive used in zone 515 ispreferably of the water moistened type.

A flap 514 is formed integrally with the top panel of the blank and isdefined in part by score line 516. The flap 514 is coated with athermoplastic rapid drying adhesive zone 513 extending into limitedspaced relation to score line 516. By this arrangement perforation line512, defining the bottom limit of the lower panel of the blank, asviewed in FIG. 13, is in register with score line 516 after longitudinalfolding has been effected. The right blank of FIG. 13 is illustratedwith tab 514 in the position of formation while the left blank of thisfigure shows the tabs 514 after they are folded about score line 516.The left blank of FIG. 13 illustrates the adhesive zone 513 on theobverse side so that after the blank is folded the flap 514 appearsinside of the envelope. Stub 506 is provided to hold the adjacentportion of web 501 and remains joined to each blank by means of aperforation line 512. Stub 506 is intended to receive printed or writtenindicia and may be removed at any time after the envelope is completelyformed or served its end use function by tearing along line 512. Thecontinuous form envelope of this modified form of the invention issubject to heated pressure rolls as described with reference to theother forms of the invention previously described.

It will be appreciated that the webs in each of the several forms of theinvention may be severed to form individual envelopes. In thealternative, the webs may be folded about the transverse perforationlines to form a continuous fold.

Iclaim:

l. A continuous form envelope blank system comprising a continuous webof flexible material, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending perforation lines defining a plurality of successive blanks, alongitudinally extending fold line in said web dividing each of saidsections into a first panel and a second panel, said first panel havinga score line delineating a front portion and a flap, said flap beingfurther defined by angularly extending edges and by a perforation line,said second panel forming a back portion having an edge spaced from theadjacent transverse perforation line and defining an access opening,said web being adapted to be folded about said longitudinally extendingfold line, adhesive zones on said panels adapted to cooperate each withthe other to secure said first panel to said second panel to form acomplete envelope, perforation lines disposed in limited spaced relationto said fold line to form marginal portions, and a plurality oflongitudinally spaced pin feed holes in said marginal portions, marginalportions defined by perforation lines disposed at the outer side edgesof said web, said outer marginal portions having pin feed holes tocooperate with said first-named pin feed holes to advance the web asrequired, at least one of said second named marginal portions beingenlarged for reception of indicia.

2. A continuous form envelope blank system comprising a continuous webof flexible material, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending perforation lines defining a plurality of successive blanks, alongitudinally extending fold line in said web dividing each of saidsections into a first panel and a second panel, said first panel havinga score line delineating a front portion and a flap, said flap beingfurther defined by angularly extending edges and by a perforation line,said second panel forming a back portion having an edge spaced from theadjacent transverse perforation line and defining an access opening,said web being adapted to be folded about said longitudinally extendingfold line, and adhesive zones on said panels adapted to cooperate eachwith the other to secure said first panel to said second panel to fonn acomplete envelope, at least one of said panels being defined by aperforation line delineating in part an indicia-receiving tab.

3. A continuous form envelope blank system comprising a continuous webof flexible material, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending perforation lines defining a plurality of successive blanks, alongitudinally extending fold line in said web dividing each of saidsections into a first panel and a second panel, said first panel havinga score line delineating a front portion and a flap, said flap beingfurther defined by angularly extending edges and by a perforation line,said second panel forming a back portion having an edge spaced from theadjacent transverse perforation line and defining an access opening,said web being adapted to be folded about said longitudinally extendingfold line, and adhesive zones on said panels adapted to cooperate eachwith the other to secure said first panel to said second panel to form acomplete envelope, said flap being further defined by a perforation lineextending in spaced parallel relation to said fold line, said last-namedperforation line defining an indiciareceiving tab.

4. An envelope system in accordance with claim 3 wherein a secondperforation line is formed iii limited spaced parallel relation to saidfirst perforation line to form a marginal strip having a plurality ofpin feed holes therein.

5. A system of continuous envelopes comprising a continuous web offlexible material, a longitudinally extending fold line, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines defininga series of adjacent blanks connected by said perforation lines, each ofsaid blanks including a first panel and a second panel joined to saidfirst panel by said fold line, said first panel having die-cut openingsdefined in part by edges extending angularly oppositely with respect tosaid fold line, a score line extending between said edges andcooperating with the adjacent transversely extending perforation line todelineate a flap, an adhesive zone on said flap, said score line furthercooperating with the opposite transverse perforation line to delineatein part a front portion, adhesive zones at the side marginal edges ofsaid first panel, said second panel embodying a back portion defined byan edge coincident with said adjacent transversely extending perforationline and by an edge defining a die-cut access opening, adhesive zones atthe side marginal edges of said back portion and an adhesive zone atsaid edge coincident with said adjacent perforation line, the adhesivezones of said back portion being adapted to register with the adhesivezones of said front portion, each of said panels being provided with aperforation line delineating a marginal zone adjacent to said fold line,at least one of said last-named perforation lines defining an outermarginal strip.

6. A system of continuous envelopes comprising a continuous web offlexible material, a longitudinally extending fold line, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines defininga series of adjacent blanks connected by said perforation lines, each ofsaid blanks including a first panel and a second panel joined to saidfirst panel b said fo d line, said first panel having die-cut openingsdefine in part by edges extending angularly oppositely with respect tosaid fold line, a score line extending between said edges andcooperating with the adjacent transversely extending perforation line todelineate a flap, an adhesive zone on said flap, said score line furthercooperating with the opposite transverse perforation line to delineatein part a front portion, adhesive zones at the side marginal edges ofsaid first panel, said second panel embodying a back portion defined byan edge coincideht with said adjacent transversely extending perforationline and by an edge defining a die-cut access opening, adhesive zones atthe side marginal edges of said back portion and an adhesive zone atsaid edge coincident with said back portion being adapted to registerwith the adhesive zones of said front portion, an outwardly extendingtab being formed at the outer side edge of said first panel, said tabbeing adapted to be folded onto said first panel and being adapted toreceive an adhesive zone for cooperation with a corresponding adhesivezone at the marginal side edge of said second panel.

1. A continuous form envelope blank system comprising a continuous webof flexible material, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverselyextending perforation lines defining a plurality of successive blanks, alongitudinally extending fold line in said web dividing each of saidsections into a first panel and a second panel, said first panel havinga score line delineating a front portion and a flap, said flap beingfurther defined by angularly extending edges and by a perforation line,said second panel forming a back portion having an edge spaced from theadjacent transverse perforation line and defining an access opening,said web being adapted to be folded about said longitudinally extendingfold line, adhesive zones on said panels adapted to cooperate each withthe other to secure said first panel to said second panel to form acomplete envelope, perforation lines disposed in limited spaced relationto said fold line to form marginal portions, and a plurality oflongitudinally spaced pin feed holes in said marginal portions, marginalportions defined by perforation lines disposed at the outer side edgesof said web, said outer marginal portions having pin feed holes tocooperate with said first-named pin feed holes to advance the web asrequired, at least one of said second named marginal portions beingenlarged for reception of indicia.
 2. A continuous form envelope blanksystem comprising a continuous web of flexible material, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines defininga plurality of successive blanks, a longitudinally extending fold linein said web dividing each of said sections into a first panel and asecond panel, said first panel having a score line delineating a frontportion and a flap, said flap being further defined by angularlyextending edges and by a perforation line, said second panel forming aback portion having an edge spaced from the adjacent transverseperforation line and defining an access opening, said web being adaptedto be folded about said longitudinally extending fold line, and adhesivezones on said panels adapted to cooperate each with the other to securesaid first panel to said second panel to form a complete envelope, atleast one of said panels being defined by a perforation line delineatingin part an indicia-receiving tab.
 3. A continuous form envelope blanksystem comprising a continuous web of flexible material, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines defininga plurality of successive blanks, a longitudinally extending fold linein said web dividing each of said sections into a first panel and asecond panel, said first panel having a score line delineating a frontportion and a flap, said flap being further defined by angularlyextending edges and by a perforation line, said second panel forming aback portion having an edge spaced from the adjacent transverseperforation line and defining an access opening, said web being adaptedto be folded about said longitudinally extending fold line, and adhesivezones on said panels adapted to cooperate each with the other to securesaid first panel to said second panel to form a complete envelope, saidflap being further defined by a perforation line extending in spacedparallel relation to said fold line, said last-named perforation linedefining an indicia-receiving tab.
 4. An envelope system in accordancewith claim 3 wherein a second perforation line is formed in limitedspaced parallel relation to said first perforation line to form amarginal strip having a plurality of pin feed hoLes therein.
 5. A systemof continuous envelopes comprising a continuous web of flexiblematerial, a longitudinally extending fold line, a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending perforation lines defininga series of adjacent blanks connected by said perforation lines, each ofsaid blanks including a first panel and a second panel joined to saidfirst panel by said fold line, said first panel having die-cut openingsdefined in part by edges extending angularly oppositely with respect tosaid fold line, a score line extending between said edges andcooperating with the adjacent transversely extending perforation line todelineate a flap, an adhesive zone on said flap, said score line furthercooperating with the opposite transverse perforation line to delineatein part a front portion, adhesive zones at the side marginal edges ofsaid first panel, said second panel embodying a back portion defined byan edge coincident with said adjacent transversely extending perforationline and by an edge defining a die-cut access opening, adhesive zones atthe side marginal edges of said back portion and an adhesive zone atsaid edge coincident with said adjacent perforation line, the adhesivezones of said back portion being adapted to register with the adhesivezones of said front portion, each of said panels being provided with aperforation line delineating a marginal zone adjacent to said fold line,at least one of said last-named perforation lines defining an outermarginal strip.
 6. A system of continuous envelopes comprising acontinuous web of flexible material, a longitudinally extending foldline, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extendingperforation lines defining a series of adjacent blanks connected by saidperforation lines, each of said blanks including a first panel and asecond panel joined to said first panel by said fold line, said firstpanel having die-cut openings defined in part by edges extendingangularly oppositely with respect to said fold line, a score lineextending between said edges and cooperating with the adjacenttransversely extending perforation line to delineate a flap, an adhesivezone on said flap, said score line further cooperating with the oppositetransverse perforation line to delineate in part a front portion,adhesive zones at the side marginal edges of said first panel, saidsecond panel embodying a back portion defined by an edge coincident withsaid adjacent transversely extending perforation line and by an edgedefining a die-cut access opening, adhesive zones at the side marginaledges of said back portion and an adhesive zone at said edge coincidentwith said back portion being adapted to register with the adhesive zonesof said front portion, an outwardly extending tab being formed at theouter side edge of said first panel, said tab being adapted to be foldedonto said first panel and being adapted to receive an adhesive zone forcooperation with a corresponding adhesive zone at the marginal side edgeof said second panel.